Disclaimer: Originally published in October 2017. It is being republished since it still remains an interesting topic till today.
Though the Supreme Court has given out a ruling recognising the third gender, it is upsetting that we still haven’t accepted them. In fact it is sad that they had to be recognized at the first place, this goes on to explain the amount of marginalism this community has faced.
While parts of the country go on to scorn them, there is a community in south India that truly celebrates the transgender identity in full vigour and enthusiasm.
Every year, between April and May, thousands of transgenders from across the country come together at the Koothandavar Temple in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu for the annual Koovagam Festival which runs for 18 days.
The Koothandavar Temple is dedicated to Aravan, the son of Arjuna and the Naga princess Ulupi.
In the Mahabharatha, there came a development on the 18th day where the Pandavas needed to sacrifice someone from themselves to Goddess Kali to win the battle. Aravan agreed but wanted his last wish to be fulfilled before his death, of being married.
With a single day’s marriage and widowhood ahead for the pending life, no woman agreed to wed Aravan, hence Krishna took Mohini avatar and married Aravan, the next day as promised Aravan sacrificed himself.
A large number of trangenders take part in this festival where they dress up as brides of Aravan and enact these events from the epic during the 18 day festival.
An idol of Lord Aravan is being carried for the annual festival.
The festivities have begun as the brides shop for their necessities.
The priest ties a sacred thread around the eunuch’s neck as part of a ritual.
The transgender community in its full heartiness as the celebrations continue.
A Transgender bride decked up for her wedding.
Brides following a ritual at the Koovagam festival.
The 18-day festivities are filled with dance, music etc.
Two transgender brides in conversation as one looks on.
A Eunuch out of her emotions says that Lord Aravan has come inside her and jumps.
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As the Marriage ends, the mourning begins.
Transgenders doing “Oppari” (a means to express their sadness at a person’s death).
Bangles are broken.
The transgenders embrace white clothes to symbolize widowhood.
Aravan is sacrificed, and the brides have turned into widows, as the 18-day fervour ends, their only celebration ends with it.
This transgender festival (also the biggest in Asia) is an eye-opener for all of us.
For many transgender women, it is so significant because it is their only chance to get married.
Across the country, transgender people are looked down upon because of their sexuality. Most of them are forced into prostitution for availing income.
Although some states, most notably Tamil Nadu, have legislated measures for transgender inclusion, much still remains to be done.
It is festivals like Koovagam that gives hope not just to the transgender community but sends out a message to all of us in general.
“To embrace who we are and also accept what others are to us.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Wikipedia, HuffPost, The Hindu
Disclaimer: We do not hold any right, copyright over any of the images used, these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly mail us.
“Patriarchy”, yeah right. Blame it all on guys. Ppl would accept transgenders if they did not clap their hands at our faces and demand money while riding public transport (esp. trains) and while at small shops. Immediate excuse is ‘they were forced to due to lack of jobs and due to oppression’ blah blah etc. but reality is that perception and image are not going to change overnight.
From the point of view of women, guys have it made but from the point of view of men, it’s women who have is easy. Men have to deal with the burden of finance most of the time in a family and pray their spouse does not indulge in wasteful expenditure. Worse, there are women who immediately get angry on being denied their 200th costume or diamond earring and run off to their parents’ house from whom the husband gets an extra earful and is subsequently forced to work extra shifts to bear the unnecessary expense.
Bah. Fed up of this nonsense.